Australia: APPEA Opens Darwin Office

The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) iannounced the establishment of a Darwin office and the appointment of Steven Gerhardy to the new role of APPEA Director – Northern Territory.

As Chief Minister Adam Giles said at the South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference yesterday, the NT has a proud tradition of gas industry development and a growing level of offshore and onshore activity.

APPEA’s Darwin office will focus on the overriding priority of maintaining the Territory’s competitiveness for attracting new oil and gas projects and the benefits that this will deliver to the NT economy.

In this regard, APPEA welcomes the Chief Minister’s announcement of a full review of the portable long service leave scheme for construction workers so as to ensure it is meeting its objectives without imposing an unnecessary cost burden on industry.

The Darwin office will also work with the NT Government to ensure a robust and efficient regulatory regime for the developing onshore sector and assist its members engage with key community stakeholders.

Gerhardy has almost 30 years of experience in the resources sector, having worked in government and industry positions in both Canberra and Perth.

He has worked in APPEA’s Perth office as a strategic policy adviser since 2005 following eight years with Woodside Energy in the position of government affairs manager.

APPEA Chief Executive David Byers said: “Steve will bring immense experience to this new role as APPEA establishes an office in Darwin to support an oil and gas industry providing substantial economic benefits to the Territory.

“Steve will continue APPEA’s work with the NT Government and all stakeholders to ensure its onshore regulatory regime operates efficiently and effectively to not only meet the expectations of industry but the high standards of environmental protection and safety the community expects.”

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LNG World News Staff, September 12, 2013; Image: APPEA